At SWF we were pleased to support work led by Dr Andrew Orton transforming their research into working with refugees into a practical resource entitled ‘A guide to developing a reflective learning programme on identity for Christians working with refugees and asylum seekers’. Here Andrew reflects on the project:
Many Christians across the UK and Europe are actively involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in various ways, including through projects to support their welfare that are offered by local churches and Christian charities. For example, many related initiatives in Britain and Ireland are being celebrated through Sanctuary Sunday and Refugee Week, co-ordinated by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
However, how do those involved reflect on their own identities and Christian faith within this work? And how might their see their identities and Christian faith as playing a practical role when responding to the diversity of refugees, asylum seekers and wider communities? What challenges are being faced in this work, and how might Christians respond effectively when refugees and asylum seekers are faced with hostility and conflict? Recent research funded by the Susanna Wesley Foundation has led to the development of a free resource to help those in related work. It highlights one way of bringing practitioners together from different contexts to explore and learn about these questions together. The learning process highlighted in this resource adapts an established ‘Community Action Based Learning for Empowerment’ process to some of the specific opportunities, issues and challenges involved in working with refugees and asylum seekers.
The research piloted this learning process with Christian practitioners recruited from diverse contexts across Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It was developed by an expert international team led by Dr Andrew Orton with Oksana Prosvirnina, Dr Petra Brooke, Rev Dr Heidi Zitting and Rev Tony Addy. In our pilot approach, it involved a combination of online sessions and a three-day residential learning event at Durham University. The resource explains the approach, activities and processes used, whilst also highlighting ways that these might be adapted for other contexts. Download the resource here.
The research team are currently in the process of submitting an academic journal article for wider publication that will share the collective learning from the participants in our initial research, and we hope to be able to share this here soon too. Findings will also be shared at the forthcoming CODE Forum conference 2026: “Between Solidarity and Division: Diaconal community development and Christian social practice in a time of polarisation” which brings together practitioners and researchers.